The Network Readiness Index (NRI) at a Glance

The 2020 NRI is the second edition of a renewed NRI model, and it ranks a total of 134 economies based on their performance across 60 variables. This year’s edition is grounded on the Portulans Institute hosted Digital Transformation Dialogue Series, which interviewed high-level experts from across the globe on various aspects of Digital Transformation - from the role of business and governments to issues of inclusion, and more. Recognizing the pervasiveness of digital technologies in today’s networked world, the Index is grounded in four fundamental dimensions: Technology, People, Governance and Impact. This holistic approach means that the NRI covers issues ranging from future technologies such as Artificial Intelligence (AI) and the Internet of Things (IoT) to the role of the digital economy in reaching the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

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Global Launch of the NRI, October 19th, 2020. More details here

2020 Highlights

The most future-ready societies
Sweden, Denmark, and Singapore are the most future-ready societies, according to the latest Network Readiness Index (NRI) report. This makes Europe (with three countries in the global top 4) the leading region in the world.
The global leaders
The United States remains the undisputed global leader when it comes to Future Technologies; indeed, it is ranked in the top 10 in each of the sub-pillar’s five indicators (claiming the top spot in two of them); China is now a global contender in key areas such as AI, e-commerce, 5G.
The ones facing challenges
Africa continues to trail behind other regions, especially when it comes to access, affordability, and usage of ICTs. Once the “ripple effect” of COVID starts to hit international trade and investment flows, such divergences between “network-ready economies” and “laggards” may be amplified.
COVID-19 Impact
COVID and lockdown strategies have accelerated digital transformation. This creates both opportunities and challenges, such as possible increases in inequalities. Appropriate governance mechanisms are required to mitigate the matter without hindering the former.
The need for Recovery Investment
In all types of economies, investments in technology alone cannot guarantee higher levels of network readiness. The ability of national economies to sustain efforts to allow reskilling and up-skilling of their local workforce and talents is key to their future. Recovery packages will have a key role to play.

Countries

Although there were some ranking changes within the group, the countries in the NRI 2020 top 10 remain the same from last year’s edition. One distinguishing feature of the top 10 performers is that they do well in most dimensions of the NRI. Indeed, they are all among the 15 highest-ranked countries in each of the four pillars and perform equally well in at least two-thirds of the 12 sub-pillars. As would be expected, all of the top 10 countries are high-income economies. As for the regional distribution, Europe dominates with eight countries, while Singapore is the only top 10 economy situated in Asia and the Pacific, and the United States is the only one located in the Americas.

Read the complete report here! 

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Our Story

Initially launched in 2002 with the World Economic Forum, the NRI has been redesigned in 2019 by its founders and co-editors, Soumitra Dutta and Bruno Lanvin, now under the auspices of the Portulans Institute, to reflect how technology and people need to be integrated within an effective governance structure in order to have the right impact on our economy, society and the environment. The 2020 NRI is the second edition of this renewed methodological mode and it is focused on Digital Transformation. It ranks a total of 134 economies based on their performance across 60 variables.

See NRI past reports here.

Our Past Reports

The Network Readiness Index, first launched in 2002, is in its 13th version and 2nd version under a renewed methodology. Until 2016 it was published by the World Economic Forum within the Global Information Technology Report. Check the past reports here:

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Global Information Technology Report 2019
See Report
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Global Information Technology Report 2016
See Report
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Global Information Technology Report 2015
See Report
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Networked Readiness Index Rankings 2014
See Report
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Networked Readiness Index Rankings 2013
See Report
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Networked Readiness Index Rankings 2011-2012
See Report
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Networked Readiness Index Rankings 2009-2010 (PDF)
See Report
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Networked Readiness Index Rankings 2008-2009
See Report
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Networked Readiness Index Rankings 2007-2008
See Report
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Networked Readiness Index Rankings 2006-2007
See Report
Our Knowledge Partners
There are several benefits to becoming a Knowledge Partner, including the following:
  • A seat on the NRI Steering Board.
  • Recommend one NRI Fellow.
  • Have the KP brand acknowledged in the NRI Report during the time covered by the agreement.
  • Have the KP brand acknowledged at all NRI related events during the time covered by of the agreement.
  • Participate in NRI launch events.
  • Receive customized NRI briefings.
Knowledge Partners (KPs)
Knowledge Partners (KPs) are a select group of public or private institutions that are passionate about the overall goal of using technology for the good of all. KPs are actively engaged with the use of technology to enhance competitiveness, to further development and to support an inclusive and sustainable growth agenda. KPs commit to engaging with Portulans Institute to support the development of the NRI across the entire cycle - from its conceptual framework to its execution and launch. Read more about the "benefits of becoming a KP" and contact us if you want to become a Knowledge Partner! For more information contact us at info@portulansinstitute.org.
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